Omar warns BJP not to hoist tricolour at Lal Chowk

Omar warns BJP not to hoist tricolour at Lal Chowk

Asking Bharatiya Janata Party to drop its plan to hoist the national flag at Lal Chowk in Srinagar on Republic Day, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday warned the party that it would be responsible for "any repercussions" in the Valley.

Abdullah accused BJP of trying to set Kashmir on fire again after peace returned to the Valley following a prolonged civil unrest.

The BJP, however, rubbished Omar's charge that it was trying to incite violence.

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Image: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah unfurls the national tricolour during Independence Day celebrations in SrinagarPhotographs: Danish Ismail/Reuters

'BJP will be responsible for any repercussions'

"When Kashmir is now quiet they (BJP) want to set it on fire again", Omar told mediapersons in Jammu. He was replying to a question on the 'Kashmir Chalo' rally of the youth wing of the BJP and its plan to hoist the national tricolour at Lal Chowk in Srinagar on January 26.

The flag will be hoisted at an official function in Srinagar on January 26, Omar said, adding, "What is the need for an individual to hoist the flag. "If their aim is to set Kashmir afire, please tell them to stop. If there are repercussions, I will hold them personally responsible", Omar said.

"They should not hold me responsible if there is a fallout of that in Kashmir. They will have to come and sort it out. They shall not hold me responsible", Omar who was flanked by his father and Union Minister Farooq Abdullah, said.

Image: They should not hold me responsible if there is a fallout, says CM AbdullahPhotographs: Danish Ismail/Reuters

Yatra not aimed at inciting violence: BJP

BJP said the party's plan to carry the national flag from West Bengal to Kashmir Valley and hoist it in Srinagar was aimed at promoting national sovereignty and solidarity.

"BJP maintains that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India... We are going to carry the national flag not in one state but through several states... This is part of a campaign for national sovereignty and solidarity," Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said in New Delhi.

He said the yatra was not aimed at inciting violence. The main opposition party is organising a Rashtriya Ekta Yatra starting from Kolkata on January 12 which will pass through several states and culminate in Srinagar on January 26 with hoisting of the national flag at the Lal Chowk.

Image: A policeman stands guard near a closed shop during a curfew in SrinagarPhotographs: Danish Ismail/Reuters

'What is the need for the BJP to hoist a flag at Lal Chowk?

Omar said the flag will be hoisted at numerous places. "Every district headquarter will have a flag hoisting ceremony. Every security camp, Army establishment and police structure will have flag hoisting," he said.

"What is the need for the BJP to hoist a flag at Lal Chowk? Are they more nationalistic than the rest of us? If a minister hoists a flag in Srinagar is that somewhat not relevant? Will their flag hoisting be more relevant?" the chief minister asked.

Image: A policeman uses a sling against stone and brick throwing Kashmiri protesters during an anti-India protest on the outskirts of SrinagarPhotographs: Fayaz Kabli/Reuters